The magazine's first issue was dated April 1970. The Harvard Lampoon was established in 1876 and became a long-standing tradition of the campus, influencing the later National Lampoon Brand in its evolution from illustration-heavy publications to satirical wit, ranging from short fiction to comic strips. National Lampoon was started by Harvard graduates and Harvard Lampoon alumni Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman in 1969, when they first licensed the "Lampoon" name for a monthly national publication. The 50th anniversary of the magazine took place in 2020 and to celebrate the magazine was issued digitally for the first time by Solaris Entertainment Studio. Projects using the "National Lampoon" brand name continue to this day, under its production company successor, National Lampoon Inc. As co-founder Henry Beard described the experience years later: "There was this big door that said, 'Thou shalt not.' We touched it, and it fell off its hinges." The magazine declined during the late 1980s, and ceased publication in 1998. It was especially anarchic, satirically attacking what was considered holy and sacred. In both cases, National Lampoon humor often pushed far beyond the boundaries of what was generally considered appropriate and acceptable. The result was an unusual mix of intelligent, cutting-edge wit, combined with some crass, bawdy jesting. Most issues also included "Foto Funnies" or fumetti, which often featured nudity. Almost all the issues included long text pieces, shorter written pieces, a section of actual news items (dubbed "True Facts"), cartoons and comic strips. Many members of the creative staff from the magazine subsequently went on to contribute creatively to successful media of all types.ĭuring the magazine's most successful years, parody of every kind was a mainstay surrealist content was also central to its appeal. The magazine spawned films, radio, live theatre, various sound recordings, and print products including books. National Lampoon magazine reached its height of popularity and critical acclaim during the 1970s, when it had a far-reaching effect on American humor and comedy. The magazine started out as a spinoff from the Harvard Lampoon. National Lampoon was an American humor magazine that ran from 1970 to 1998. November 1998 23 years ago ( November 1998) Cover of the January 1973 "Death" issue, featuring the dog Cheesefaceġ969 53 years ago ( 1969), Harvard University